Undergraduate Academic Policies

Return to: Academic Policies  

Expectations and Responsibilities

Columbia College Chicago emphasizes the responsibility of each student to participate in the educational process. This involves the conscientious preparation of assignments and the recognition of the frequent interdependence of students when individual contribution to a group or class effort is required.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend classes and to complete assignments as required by the instructor. They should expect their academic progress to suffer if they miss classes.

Advising: Students are expected to meet regularly with their college advisor in the College Advising Center. As part of the advising process, students are expected to understand their degree requirements and their academic progress toward the completion of their intended degree.

Co-curricular Activities: The college supports student activities that provide broad opportunity for the exercise of interests and talents. These include participation in the Student Government Association, participation in professional organizations, cultural experiences, social activities, sports clubs, and informal meetings between students and faculty.

The college prohibits the following conduct: All forms of academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, knowingly furnishing false information to the college, forgery, alteration or fraudulent use of college documents, instruments, or identification. For more about this see Academic Integrity .

Major Declaration

All Columbia students must declare a major by the time they have earned 45 credits. Transfer students with 45 credits or more need to make this declaration at the end of their first semester at Columbia. Certain majors may only be declared via selection by the academic department. Students interested in these majors must follow guidelines set forth by the respective academic department. A maximum of six credits can be shared between two majors and between a major and a minor. Courses may be shared among more than two programs not to exceed six shared credits. Students seeking a BFA, BMus, or BS degree program can share up to six credits between the Columbia Core and the major requirements. Students seeking a BA degree cannot share any courses between the major and the Columbia Core.

Change of Major

After major declaration, students wishing to change their major or concentration must meet with an academic advisor. Students are responsible for meeting the most recent major program requirements in effect at the time of the change. Majors changed beginning in week three of Fall and Spring semesters will take effect on the day after the semester ends.

Process for Declaring a Double Major

Students seeking to declare a double major must do so before completing 45 total credits or within the first semester as a new transfer student. Any student who is adding a second major is required to meet with their academic advisor first to determine the length of time required to complete two specific major programs at the college. When it is determined that a student can graduate with a double major within 140 total credits or less including all credit earned out of residence, the double major will be approved. In the case where adding the second major will result in 141⁺ total required credits including earned transfer credits, students should follow the process for declaring a dual degree as outlined below. Students who complete a double major will receive one diploma with both majors listed. Academic transcripts will list both majors.

Process for Declaring a Dual Degree

Undergraduate students who wish to double major are encouraged to select two majors that both lead to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. When a student wishes to double major in two majors that lead to two different undergraduate degrees (for example, a BA and a BFA) it is known as a dual degree.

Dual degrees typically extend a student’s length of time to completion beyond a four-year time frame. Any student who is considering adding a second degree is required to meet with their academic advisor first to determine the length of time required to complete two degrees at the college. To declare a dual degree, students must submit the following to their academic advisor before completing 45 total credits or within their first semester as a new transfer student:

1. Their complete degree plan for both majors with their anticipated semester of completion and the total credits required to complete both programs
2. Their financial plan and recognition that this intended program may impact their eligibility for continued scholarships, grants, and loans
3. Written support from a full-time faculty member in each of the intended degree programs/major areas of study
4. A written statement by the student explaining how their education would benefit from the dual degree and demonstrating their capacity to complete two undergraduate degrees at the college

The dual degree request will be reviewed for consideration by a committee to include the registrar, the associate vice president of Columbia Central, the assistant provost of Academic Services, and the associate dean(s) of the school(s) housing the two intended degree programs. The student will receive a written response to the dual degree request within three weeks of the submission of all the above materials. The decision of the review committee will be made once all academic and financial considerations are reviewed.

Degree audit and academic planning tools may not accurately reflect both programs of study. Dual degree students will need to work closely with their academic advisor to monitor their progress.

Students who complete a dual degree will receive two diplomas; one for each degree earned. Academic transcripts will list both degrees earned.

Financial Aid Implications of a Double Major/Dual Degree

Federal financial aid regulations require Columbia to discontinue financial aid eligibility once all degree requirements are met. Completion of only one degree program is required for graduation; therefore, once a student completes a degree he or she will no longer be eligible for financial aid.

• Eligibility for Columbia’s scholarships is limited to the earlier of four years of attendance or 120 (BA) credits/128 (BFA, BMus, BS) credits. Eligibility for Columbia’s scholarships is not extended for students who choose a double major/dual degree. Additional information is available at Internal Scholarships
• For the purposes of federal and state grant eligibility, students are considered graduates once they complete all requirements of an academic program (i.e., a single major/degree). Therefore, once a student completes one of their majors/degrees, they will no longer be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), or the State of Illinois MAP Grant.
• A student can continue to receive federal student loans for a second degree if the student meets all eligibility criteria for student loans. However, all students are encouraged to complete their undergraduate enrollment at Columbia within four years to limit both student loan indebtedness and tuition costs.

Interdisciplinary Major - BA

Columbia College Chicago offers an Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts program. This program is designed to allow undergraduate students the opportunity to combine areas of study from two different areas of study in order to facilitate a unique learning experience leading to specific career outcomes. Students must meet with an academic advisor to discuss this opportunity and apply for the major in the College Advising Center. As part of the application process, students are required to meet with designated faculty in each relevant academic department to discuss career goals and map out specific course requirements pertinent to each area of study. A minimum of 40 total credits in the major is required, with no more than two thirds of the total credit hours in one department. Coursework should include an internship, independent project, or other capstone experience. Once approved, the coursework outlined in the application will become the official set of major requirements. All other requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree apply. Once awarded, the official transcript will list the major as Interdisciplinary and a concentration in the two areas of study.  

Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Columbia’s undergraduate division offers programs of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Bachelor of Music (BMus), a Bachelor of Science (BS), or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in specific programs. In addition to the Columbia Core requirements, the BA, BMus, BS, and BFA programs may include requirements and specialized concentrations of courses that enable students to prepare for particular careers.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a liberal arts degree that allows a student to explore a major in the context of a broad program of general studies at the college level. The BA involves a higher proportion of courses outside the degree program than the BFA, including substantial interdisciplinary opportunities and the option of a minor or a double major in other programs. Students may choose to take additional electives in their major department beyond the required credit hours and may pursue those additional courses in a self-directed manner. The BA requires 120 total credits in the degree: 30 to 45 percent of credits in the major, 35 percent in Columbia Core, and 20 to 35 percent in college-wide electives.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree, students are required to complete:

• 120 credits with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average
• 42 credits in Columbia Core courses
• six credits of courses designated as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Requirements for all majors can be found on the college’s web site.

Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music (BMus) is a professional degree that focuses on intensive work in music supported by a program of general studies at the college level. It is further distinguished from the BA by a selective application process into the BMus program and a minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement in the major of 3.0. Students in the BMus are required to complete a senior recital demonstrating their range of skill as a composer and/or performer. The BMus requires a minimum of 128 total credits in the degree: at least 60 percent of the credits in the major field of study, 42 credits of Columbia Core coursework, and a small number of college-wide electives.

Bachelor of Music Degree Requirements

To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition; Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music; or Performance, students are required to complete the following:

• 128 credits
• 42 credits of Columbia Core requirements
• 84 credits in music (85 for Performance)
• a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major
• a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
• six credits of courses designated as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a professional degree that focuses on intensive work in the major supported by a program of general studies at the college level. It is further distinguished from the BA by a selective application process into the BFA and a minimum GPA requirement in the major of 3.0. Students in the BFA are required to complete a senior capstone project that represents a substantial body of work elaborating a particular theme, idea, or professional area of practice. The BFA requires a minimum of 128 total credits in the degree: at least 60 percent of the credits in the major field of study, 42 credits of Columbia Core coursework, and a small number of college-wide electives.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, students are required to complete the following:

• 128 credits
• 42 credits of Columbia Core requirements
• a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major
• a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
• six credits of courses designated as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science (BS) is a liberal arts and sciences degree that focuses on intensive work in a major field of study supported by substantial and sustained coursework in science and mathematics and additional general studies at the college level. The BS requires a minimum of 128 total credits in the degree: at least 50 percent of the credits in the major field of study, 42 credits of LAS Core coursework, and a small number of college-wide electives.

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree, students are required to complete the following:

• 128 credits
• 42 credits of Columbia Core requirements
• a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
• six credits of courses designated as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Second Bachelor’s Degree (Second BA)

If a student has already earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia or another accredited institution, they may earn a second bachelor of arts at Columbia by completing required courses specified by one of the major-granting departments or programs of the college. All other academic requirements are considered fulfilled within the curriculum of the previously granted bachelor’s degree. Transfer credits cannot be applied to fulfill degree requirements; however, specific courses may be waived based on work experiences or courses from the original degree. Not all departments offer second bachelor of arts degrees.

Students may select a second bachelor of arts in any regular bachelor of arts program offered by the college in the current catalog. Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music programs are not available as a second bachelor degree. Please see the section on Majors and Programs for more information on the bachelor of arts program offerings.

A second bachelor of arts in Interior Architecture is also available.

Second bachelor of arts students are admitted into the particular program to which they applied and are not eligible to change major programs after matriculation. Additionally, second bachelor of arts students are not permitted to declare a double major or a minor. No college-wide electives are required in second bachelor of arts programs, and financial aid cannot be applied toward any courses taken outside of specified program requirements.

Minors

Students who have declared a major in a Bachelor of Arts curriculum are encouraged to include a minor to augment and complement their course of study. Minors consist of 18 to 24 credits and provide an introduction or sequenced specialization in an area of study from either a major or a Liberal Arts and Sciences department. Specific credit and course requirements for each minor can be found on the college’s website. Double minors are permitted, and an unlimited number of credits can be shared between two minors. A maximum of six credits can be shared between any minor and the major program(s) of study. Shared courses can be shared among more than two programs. For students following the Columbia Core, an unlimited number of credits can be shared between the Columbia Core and the minor to fulfill requirements. For students following the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core (2005-18 graduates), a maximum of nine credits can be shared between the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core and the minor to fulfill requirements.

The Columbia Core Curriculum

Columbia College Chicago offers undergraduate students educational opportunities in the visual, performing, media, and communication arts within the context of a comprehensive liberal education. At Columbia, this liberal education occurs in the Columbia Core Curriculum-a set of curricula required for all undergraduate, degree-seeking students.

The Columbia Core provides a strong interdisciplinary framework for the institution’s universal learning outcomes, which are intended to guide all students’ educational experiences. Students are required to complete 42 total credits in the Core. This includes a minimum of one Columbia Experience (CCCX) course (three credits), which highlights the unique academic mission of Columbia College Chicago, and a minimum of 11 Essential Liberal Arts and Sciences (ELAS) courses (33 credits). The remaining six credits of required Columbia Core coursework may be chosen from any course with CCCX or ELAS designation. Nine (9) of the total Columbia Core credit hours must be completed at 200-level or higher.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs allow students to explore a focused domain of knowledge or skills. These programs are appropriate for professionals and for degree-seeking students who wish to pursue training in a specific skill or discipline. Certificate programs ideally offer fall, spring, and summer start dates and other flexible scheduling options for students. Certificate programs do not necessarily result in professional certification in the program’s area of focus; such certification is governed by external bodies.

A certificate is open to any student who is admitted to the college, whether pursuing a specific degree program or only admitted to the certificate program. Certificates consist of 9-18 credits of coursework. No certificate may include both undergraduate and graduate courses in a single program; undergraduate certificates contain only undergraduate coursework, and graduate certificates include only graduate-level coursework. Students pursuing an undergraduate certificate must have completed high school or the equivalent. Students pursuing a graduate certificate must hold a bachelor’s degree as a condition of admission.

In order to be eligible for federal financial aid, a certificate program must take at least one year to complete, allow for a minimum registration of 6 credits per semester, and must lead to gainful employment in a recognized discipline. For degree-seeking students, certificates are awarded upon request only.

College-wide Graduation Requirements

College-wide graduation requirements are the standard requirements that students must fulfill in order for Columbia College Chicago to confer their degrees. These standards ensure that graduates have completed the curriculum as it was developed by the faculty.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

All students are required to take at least two courses (minimum six credits) designated as meeting our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) requirements.

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion as vitally important to its present and future success. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of its students, staff, and faculty. The present standing and history of systems of racial oppression permeate all levels of society, and intersect with discrimination based on age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation, among others. As such, these structures of power and privilege need to be studied and understood by all members of the Columbia community. Columbia is committed to creating policies, programs, and opportunities that will ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion thrive and are at the center of all that it does.

College-wide Electives

Courses other than those that fulfill the Columbia Core and major degree requirements are considered college-wide electives. A student’s course of study must include as many college-wide electives as needed to achieve the total number of credit hours required for his or her degree. College-wide electives may be selected from any department and program in the college.

Requisites

Prerequisites are courses that must be taken prior to a given course. Course(s) may be listed as prerequisite either because they cover necessary knowledge or skills or they must be taken in sequence. Concurrent requisites are courses that must be taken at the same time as a given course. Course Requirements are requirements, other than courses, that a student must meet to register for a course. Course requirements may include a specific number of completed credits, a minimum GPA, a minimum grade in a prerequisite course, departmental consent, audition, or portfolio review.

Waiver of College-wide Graduation Requirements

College-wide graduation requirements may only be waived by the Provost (or her/his designee) and only under exceptional circumstances. A student who has not met a requirement for graduation may submit an Academic Petition to the Office of the Provost. Columbia College Chicago does not allow course substitutions or course equivalencies in lieu of a waiver of a graduation requirement.

Advanced Credit and Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit

Columbia College Chicago accepts transfer credit according to its policies from other regionally accredited colleges and universities and considers transfer credit from select institutions with discipline-specific accreditation. Transfer courses must be completed with a C grade or better and must be similar or equivalent in content to those offered by Columbia. The acceptance of transfer credit is at the sole discretion of the college. To be accepted, official college transcripts, military records, or Advanced Placement test scores must be received, at the latest, by Undergraduate Admissions before the end of the student’s first semester of attendance at Columbia. Grades and grade point averages do not transfer. All transfer students receive an official transcript evaluation as part of the admissions process.

• No minimum number of transfer credits is required to transfer to Columbia College Chicago
• The maximum number of accepted credits earned outside of Columbia College Chicago is 75
• The final 12 credits required for graduation must be taken at Columbia College Chicago
• A minimum of 45 total credits toward the degree must be taken at Columbia College Chicago
• A minimum of 15 credits required for the major must be taken at Columbia College Chicago
• ESL, adult education, continuing education, workshops, seminars, and developmental courses (those courses usually numbered below 100) are not transferable
• Topics, independent study, and internships are considered on a case by case basis and may not be transferable

For additional information about the Transfer Student application or policies, please visit www.colum.edu/transfers.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are designed to build strong relationships between two-year institutions and Columbia College Chicago so that transfer students understand exactly what courses will and will not transfer when they enroll at Columbia. Not to be confused with course equivalencies which identify whether individual courses will apply towards a degree at Columbia, articulation agreements identify how an entire group of courses from an awarded associate’s degree apply toward a degree at Columbia. For a current list of articulation agreements and established transfer guides with partner institutions, please visit www.colum.edu/transfers.

Exam Credit

Official score reports for all exams must be sent to Admissions for consideration. Credit is accepted for exams with qualifying scores in subjects similar to those offered at Columbia College Chicago.

• Advanced Placement (AP): For more information, please see AP Evaluation Guide  .
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP): For more information, please see CLEP Evaluation Guide .
• International A-Level: Credit may be accepted for some A-Level exams with grades of A to C in subjects similar to those offered at Columbia College Chicago.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): For more information, please see IB Evaluation Guide .

International Transfer Credit

Enrolled students who study at an international school outside of Columbia’s approved study abroad experiences are required to submit a professional course-by-course evaluation of all university-level work from a professional credential evaluation service with NACES or AICE membership. This evaluation will help guide the review of transfer credit equivalencies but is not a guarantee of transfer credit. New applicants with international transfer credit should visit the Admissions website for information. 

Life Experience Credit

Under special circumstances, a student may be granted up to 16 credit hours in their major for life and work experience. Applications are available in the Office of the Registrar for evaluation of non-college learning experiences.

Military Credit

Veterans may be eligible for active duty and service school credit based on information from official copies of military records. Contact Admissions with additional questions.

Information for Illinois Transfer Students

Columbia College Chicago participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) as a receiving institution. The IAI is a statewide agreement that allows transfer students coming from participating Illinois institutions who meet certain criteria to complete the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) in lieu of the Columbia College Chicago Core (Columbia Core). Transfer students who are accepted to Columbia College Chicago and who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible for the IAI:

1. Earned associate’s degree from a participating Illinois institution
2. Completion of the GECC package at a participating Illinois institution
3. Completion of 30 transferable credits from one or more participating Illinois institutions

Students who meet number 1 or number 3 above who have not yet completed the GECC package are permitted to do so while enrolled at Columbia College Chicago. If the Columbia Core leads to faster degree completion, the student may choose it instead of the GECC.

Transfer students who complete the GECC package in lieu of the Columbia Core must still complete the following college-wide degree requirements, which may or may not be fulfilled in transfer:

• Columbia Experience 3 (CCCX 300-level): Innovation and Impact (three credits)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): (six credits)

Transfer students entering Columbia College Chicago from participating Illinois institutions with 29 or fewer transferable credits are required to complete the Columbia Core.

Students who meet eligibility requirements for the IAI can transfer courses that apply toward the GECC requirements with a grade of D or better. The only exception to this is Writing and Rhetoric I and Writing and Rhetoric II in which a grade of C or better is required.

For more information on the Illinois Articulation Initiative, please visit www.itransfer.org/IAI/

Registration

Registration for continuing degree-seeking students typically begins in the middle of each semester for the subsequent semester. Registration is conducted online through the student portal. To participate in registration, students may be required to meet with their academic advisor for an advising clearance. Students should contact their academic advisor for further information. Students must have no outstanding financial, academic, or immunization obligations to the college. (visit Columbia Central)

Dropping/Adding/Withdrawing From Classes

The college’s official schedule revision period ends on the first business day in week two of the semester for the regular 15-week term. For official add, drop, and withdrawal dates tied to five-week, seven-week, and eight-week sessions, please visit Columbia Central. Students may make changes to their class schedules (i.e., add or drop classes) at any time prior to the end of the official revision period. Students may drop classes through the first business day in week three and may withdraw through the ninth week during the Fall and Spring semesters for the regular 15-week term. (Refer to Columbia Central for guidelines on adding, dropping, or withdrawing from fall and spring sub-sessions and summer classes.) If a student drops a course before the deadline, the course does not appear on the student’s academic record. Withdrawals appear on the record as W (withdrawal), which may affect compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students are advised to consult with an academic advisor in the College Advising Center before deciding to withdraw from a class. Failure to attend a class does not equal withdrawal.

Leave of Absence

Undergraduate degree-seeking students who require time away from their academic program but intend to re-enroll at Columbia, may request a leave of absence for up to two semesters. During this approved time away, degree requirements will not change as a result of the leave of absence, and students will not need to apply for readmission upon returning.

To comply with the leave of absence policy, students must enroll in or before the third semester after beginning their leave of absence (excluding summer). Students who do not enroll in or before the third semester will be considered withdrawn and will not be eligible to enroll in future semesters unless they apply for readmission.

Students are limited to a maximum of two semesters of leave of absence during their undergraduate career at Columbia. The semesters do not need to be consecutive. A leave of absence is not required for summer, nor will it be considered as the third semester away. See “Submitting a Leave of Absence Request” section for additional clarity on how the leave will be administered.

Additional Provisions

• Students may take a leave of absence only during a fall or spring semester in which they are not enrolled.
• Newly admitted students who have not yet completed a semester at Columbia are not eligible for a leave of absence. Generally, new students who have not yet enrolled may request to defer admission instead.
• International students must consult with International Student and Scholar Services to determine what effect the leave of absence has on their immigration status.
• Students on a leave of absence may complete course work for a class in which an incomplete grade was assigned in a prior semester. A leave of absence does not change the time limit specified by the Incomplete Grade Policy.
• Students may not take a leave of absence in lieu of complying with a disciplinary process. A leave of absence does not change the sanctions or probationary status the student may be subject to.
• Students who receive financial aid must consult with Columbia Central to discuss the effect the leave of absence has on their financial aid award and repayment of their student loans.

Submitting a Leave of Absence Request

To submit a Leave of Absence Request, students will use the online form located in MyColumbia. They will be asked to indicate the semester the leave of absence takes effect and the semester they plan to return. Next, the opportunity to provide additional details regarding their reason(s) for taking a leave of absence will be presented. Upon submitting the request, students will receive a notification of receipt. The Office of the Registrar will review the request and follow up if additional information is required from the student. Students will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar once their leave of absence has been processed.

Once a leave has been processed, students needing to update the length of their leave of absence should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Leave of Absence for consecutive semesters

• Example 1: A student starts a leave of absence effective Fall Semester 2022. They continue on leave during Spring Semester 2023. The student enrolls for Fall Semester 2023 and is eligible to enroll in future semesters.
• Example 2: A student requests a leave of absence effective Fall Semester 2022. They continue their leave of absence during Spring Semester 2023. The student does not enroll for Fall Semester 2023. They will be considered withdrawn and will not be eligible to enroll in future semesters unless they apply for readmission.

Leave of Absence for one semester only

• Example 1: A student requests a leave of absence effective Fall Semester 2022, indicating their intent to take a one semester leave of absence. The student enrolls for Spring Semester 2023 and is eligible to enroll in future semesters. The student will have one additional semester of leave of absence remaining to use in a future semester.
• Example 2: A student requests a leave of absence effective Fall Semester 2022 but does not enroll for Spring Semester 2023. They will be eligible for Fall Semester 2023 registration but will be considered withdrawn thereafter if they do not enroll. They will need to apply for readmission to enroll in future semesters.

Leave of Absence after dropping all courses

• Example 1: A student drops all courses after the Drop deadline for Fall Semester 2022. They then request a leave of absence effective Spring Semester 2023. They are not considered to be on a leave of absence for Fall Semester 2022 since they enrolled and received “W” grades. Therefore, Spring Semester 2023 is the first of two semesters allowed on a leave of absence.
• Example 2: A student drops all courses before the Drop deadline for Fall Semester 2022. They then request a leave of absence effective Fall Semester 2022. The Fall Semester 2022 will be the first of two semesters allowed on a leave of absence.

Withdrawing From A Course

Students who are planning to withdraw from a course are encouraged to speak with both Academic Advising and Columbia Central prior to withdrawing. Withdrawing from a course can impact the student’s financial standing with the college and can also impact the student’s academic standing.

If a student completely withdraws from courses through the 60 percent point of the term (or session if not enrolled for the full term) and was awarded Title IV aid (federal financial aid) they will have their financial aid award prorated based on the last date of attendance. Award adjustments may result in an outstanding student account balance.

Withdrawing From The College

In the event that a student decides to no longer attend the college, they must complete a College Withdrawal Request form, return all school property, and make necessary financial arrangements with Columbia Central prior to their departure. Please note, failing to attend classes does not constitute an official withdrawal from the College. All accounts are considered active until the effective date of the official withdrawal.

Procedure To Submit A College Withdrawal Request

To submit a College Withdrawal Request, students will use the online form located in MyColumbia. They will be asked to indicate the semester the withdrawal will take effect. Next, the opportunity to provide additional details regarding their reason(s) for withdrawing from Columbia will be presented. Upon submitting the request, students will receive a notification of receipt. The Office of the Registrar will review the request and follow up if additional information is required. Students will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar once the withdrawal request has been processed.

Administrative Withdrawals

Columbia College Chicago recognizes there may be extenuating and mitigating circumstances affecting student academic progress. A student may petition for a TOTAL administrative withdrawal from ALL classes after the end of the official withdrawal period by submitting a petition supported by appropriate documentation. An administrative withdrawal after the end of the semester is not permitted if the petition is submitted later than 45 calendar days following the last date of the semester in question. Petitions for administrative withdrawals are evaluated and approved or denied by the Exception Committee. The committee will decide if any academic and/or financial exceptions related to the student’s petition will be granted. Students may appeal a denial of petition to the Registrar and the assistant vice president of Columbia Central, whose decision is final. Approval of a petition for administrative withdrawal may preclude future approvals of petitions for administrative withdrawals.

Mitigating circumstances that qualify for consideration of an administrative withdrawal include:

Medical

• The student submits documentation from a medical professional confirming that the student will be/has been hospitalized and the length of the hospitalization and necessary recovery time is a minimum of seven consecutive calendar days during the term (excluding scheduled breaks such as winter break or spring break); OR
• The student submits documentation from a medical professional indicating that it was impossible for the student to attend classes for 14 consecutive calendar days or a greater period of time during the term due to a medical condition (hospitalization not required); OR
• The student submits documentation from a medical or counseling professional confirming that the student is a danger to self and/or others, and therefore must discontinue enrollment; OR
• The student submits information from a health care provider certifying that the student is unable to complete a course(s) due to a medical condition.

Documentation for medical conditions must explicitly state why the student is or was unable to complete the course(s) and whether the medical condition prevents the student from completing all courses or just particular courses for which academic progress is impeded by the medical condition.

Non-medical

• The student provides documentation of being called to military service during the term; OR
• The student provides documentation of being incarcerated for a minimum of seven consecutive calendar days during the term; OR
• An immediate family member of the student’s passes away during the term. Immediate family members include the student’s mother, father, brother, sister, spouse, or child. If a non-immediate family member living with the student passes away (for example, a grandparent), an exception may also be considered; OR
• The student is a victim of a violent crime during the term.

The following circumstances do not qualify for consideration of an administrative withdrawal:

• Failure to properly drop or withdraw from a course during the add/drop or withdrawal period
• Inability to afford courses for which the student has registered
• Non-attendance with failure to properly drop the course

Students who have questions regarding the administrative withdrawal process should consult with their academic advisor.

Mandatory Attendance Process

Students are required to attend class regularly. Failure to attend class in the first two weeks of the term negatively impacts financial aid. If an instructor reports that a student failed to attend and participate in class during the add/drop period, a grade of NS (no-show) is entered on the student’s record for the course. Please note that students are charged tuition and fees for any course for which they receive a NS grade. For more information on non-attendance please visit the Columbia Central website.

Failure to Attend and Drop Course(s) for a Semester (Voided Schedule)

Students are responsible for managing their student records and accounts at Columbia College Chicago, which includes properly dropping all registered courses in the student portal if they decide not to take a course or courses. If a student registers for courses but never attends any of those courses, Columbia may void the student’s schedule for the semester (“Voided Schedule”). The first instance of a Voided Schedule, the student will not be held responsible for full tuition and fees;  however, effective Summer Semester 2019, continuing students will be charged a fee of $75 per registered credit for the first instance of a Voided Schedule. This fee covers the administrative and academic costs incurred in support of the student’s registration and subsequent failure to attend and properly drop his or her courses. This fee cannot be covered by financial aid and must be paid in full prior to Columbia releasing any records on the student’s behalf, including college transcripts and the diploma.

After the first instance of a Voided Schedule, the continuing student will be held responsible for the full tuition and fees for registered courses for any subsequent instances of a Voided Schedule. A student is considered a continuing student if he or she were ever enrolled in any course at Columbia College Chicago and earned any grade in that course, including but not limited to W, I, NS, F, FX, S, U, or P. This policy applies only to students for whom the college can adequately document complete non-attendance for the semester. If the Office of the Registrar determines that a student attended any portion of any registered course, that student is responsible for all tuition and fees for the semester per Columbia’s regular refund policy.

Religious Holiday Observance

Columbia College Chicago respects the right of and encourages all students to observe the religious holidays associated with their faith.  Faculty should make every effort to accommodate students who miss scheduled class meetings due to the observance of a religious holiday. Students are expected to contact their instructor as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements to complete coursework.

Course Auditing

Auditing courses is not permitted by students at the undergraduate level. Course auditing is only permitted by degree-seeking graduate students in undergraduate courses by permission of the instructor. For more information, please see the graduate student auditing policy under graduate academic policies.

Grading System

Grades reflect the instructor’s evaluation of a student’s achievement, improvement, effort, and motivation within the framework of this system. Columbia’s grading system is as follows:

*Because of an extended labor dispute that significantly disrupted the fall semester, Columbia expanded the option for Pass/Fail (PX/F) courses in the fall 2023 semester. A “PX” grade signifies the satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes of the course, full credit is earned, and GPA is unaffected.

Treatment of W, NS, I, NG, P, F, and Grades Reported

• Course withdrawals (W), courses dropped after the add/drop period, are not included in the GPA calculation but are considered in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations.
• Non-attendance (NS) grades are issued for undergraduate courses when a student fails to attend within the first two weeks of the term. The NS grade is not included in the GPA calculation but is considered exactly like a withdrawal in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations.
• Incomplete (I) grades are not included in the GPA calculation but are considered in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations. Students must apply for an I grade and their request may be approved or denied by the College. The I grade may be issued when a student makes definite arrangements with the instructor to complete course work outside class. If medical excuses are part of the student’s documentation for requesting an I grade, these must be submitted during the semester in which the incomplete is requested. A student may not complete the work for a course in which an I grade was received by enrolling in the same class in the next semester. An Incomplete Grade (I) can only be issued for an undergraduate student who has met one of the following criteria:
  • The student has successfully completed all course requirements to date but is faced with unexpected circumstances during the final weeks of the semester resulting in the inability to complete course requirements by the end of the semester. The student must have, in the instructor’s estimation, the ability to complete missed course requirements outside of class and by the end of the eighth week of the following semester. The instructor must agree to evaluate the student’s work and replace the Incomplete grade before the end of the following semester. Student-Faculty Agreement on Incomplete Grade , specifying work to be completed and a due date, must be signed by both instructor and student and approved by the Department Chair. In the event that an instructor is no longer employed by the College, a program Coordinator, Director, or the Department Chair can evaluate the work and assign the course grade.
  • An external supervisor for an Internship has failed to submit a final report and grade recommendation by the deadline for grade submission or the Internship conclusion date falls beyond the end of the grade submission deadline. The Internship Coordinator /faculty member is responsible for obtaining the final evaluation and submitting a letter grade to replace the Incomplete by the eighth week of the following semester. An agreement specifying the need for the final evaluation from the external supervisor must be signed by both instructor and approved by the Department Chair. In the event that an instructor is no longer employed by the College, a program Coordinator, Director, or the Department Chair can evaluate the work and assign the course grade.
  • Once the work has been completed, the faculty member will update the student’s final grade. If no action is taken to resolve the incomplete work, the I grade will convert to an F (failing) grade at the end of the subsequent term. Courses with an I grade are not considered officially graded until all grades are certified for the subsequent term.
• Unreported grades (NG) are not included in the grade point average but are considered in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations. Once the grade is reported, the student’s grade point average is updated accordingly.
• Pass (P, PX) grades are not included in the GPA calculation but are considered in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations. The pass/fail option must be declared by the deadline by completing the Pass/Fail Declaration form under the “Pass/Fail Declaration Form” header on this page (see Enrollment Forms section). Once this form is submitted, the decision cannot be reversed.
  • Students are encouraged to discuss the Pass/Fail option with their instructor and advisors; however, permission from the instructor is not required.
• Failure grades (F) are included in the computation of the grade point average, and they are considered in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations.
• Grades of A, B, C, and D (including pluses and minuses) are included in the grade point calculation and are considered in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations.
• Audit (AU) grades are not included in the GPA calculation and award no credit.

Academic Progress Reports (APRs)

During week six and seven of the fall and spring terms, Columbia College Chicago requests each faculty member to submit academic progress reports (APRs) for undergraduate 15-week courses*. The primary intent of the APR process is to identify students who are at-risk of failing the course or are not meeting the minimum grade required. When a student is identified as at-risk of failing a course, they will receive an email notification regarding their academic progress with suggestions and options for how to proceed. The APR process was established to provide students with feedback on their progress and to offer additional support to our students.

The APR process is a critical component in Columbia’s commitment to student success. While the APR is not a final grade and does not impact the grade point average, it is a valuable indicator of student performance in the course to date.

When a faculty member submits the APR, they can indicate that each student in their class meets one of the three following criteria:

• Exceeds basic expectations: Demonstrating performance at a very high level in the course, typically shown as earning high grades on assignments and displaying a deep engagement with course content.
• Meets basic expectations: Demonstrating behavior proven to produce success in college, such as consistent attendance, class participation, and on-time completion of assignments.
• Does not meet basic expectations: Demonstrating behaviors known to put students at risk for failure, such as excessive absences, lack of class participation, and missed or incomplete assignments.

While the academic progress report is not a final grade and does not impact the grade point average, it is a valuable indicator of student performance in the course to date. Columbia provides students with this report as part of its commitment to student success. Reports are delivered via the official college email during week six, and students are encouraged to discuss them with their instructor(s). 

*Certain courses are exempt from the academic progress reporting process, such as private lessons, internships, independent projects, directed studies, tutoring, and courses that have not met or have ended by week six.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a federal requirement for Title IV (federal financial aid) recipients. SAP refers to academic requirements that federal financial aid recipients must meet to retain eligibility for federal financial aid, which includes federal grants and loans. If a federal financial aid recipient fails to meet these requirements, the student will lose eligibility for federal financial aid at Columbia.

Columbia’s policy for academic standing requires all undergraduate students meet the standards outlined below regardless of if they are Title IV recipients. If an undergraduate student fails to meet the SAP standards, the student will be prohibited from registering for future courses at Columbia unless the student successfully appeals, as outlined below.

All previous SAP policies that students may have in their possession are no longer valid, and students will not be “grandfathered” under old policies. 

Staying in SAP Compliance

To maintain SAP compliance, all undergraduate students must meet the following requirements each semester they are enrolled, including summer term, even if they are not receiving financial aid for that semester:

• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above
• Successfully complete at least two-thirds (67 percent) of their attempted credit hours, and
• Complete their degree program within the maximum time frame, which is 150 percent of the length of their academic program in credit hours.

The above standards apply even if a student has changed majors. All coursework completed under the prior major will be included in the SAP calculation.

If a student is completing a second bachelor’s degree at Columbia, only the coursework required for the second bachelor’s degree will be evaluated for SAP and the student will be given a maximum time frame that is 150 percent of the number of credit hours required to complete the second bachelor’s degree.

Maximum Time Frame

Students whose attempted credit hours, including transfer credit hours, exceed 150 percent of the length of their academic program in credit hours lose eligibility for federal financial aid and cannot register for future courses (financial aid suspension/academic dismissal). Additionally, if it is determined through the SAP review that a student is not on track to complete the academic program within 150 percent of the length of the academic program in credit hours, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension/academic dismissal. A student can appeal the maximum time frame, and if the appeal is successful, the student is placed on an academic plan that holds the student accountable for degree completion within a specific time frame. 

To calculate maximum time frame, students should multiply the length of their academic program in credit hours by 150 percent. For example, if a student is completing a BA degree that is 120 credit hours in length, the student’s maximum time frame is 180 credit hours (120 x 150 percent = 180).

Treatment of Grades Reported

Grades of A, B, C, and D as well as failing grades (F), are counted toward a student’s grade point average, completion rate, and maximum time frame. This is true whether an F grade is received due to nonattendance or due to poor academic performance.

Grades of incomplete (I), unreported (NG), pass (P), course withdrawal (W), and no show (NS) are not counted toward a student’s grade point average but are counted toward completion rate and maximum time frame.

Grade Changes

When a grade change is reported to the Office of the Registrar, the student is evaluated for SAP compliance at that time. If the student is not in compliance with the standards of SAP based on the grade change, the student will be notified and the below policy and procedures will apply.

Remedial Coursework

Columbia does not offer remedial courses, nor does it accept remedial courses as transfer credit. Therefore, remedial coursework taken at another institution has no impact on SAP at Columbia.

Treatment of Transfer Credit

Columbia accepts transfer coursework from eligible institutions. Grades from accepted transfer coursework are not included in the Columbia grade point average (GPA). Accepted transfer coursework is included in a student’s calculation of completion rate and maximum time frame.

Retaking Course Work Not Designated as Repeatable for Credit

Students are permitted to attempt a course a second time to improve their earned grade, provided the course is not designated repeatable for credit. Students may retake a course to improve their grade no more than once (total of two attempts) unless they receive special approval from the academic department. Official Withdrawals from a course (W grade) are not included in the total of two attempts.

The retaken course must be the same as, or equivalent to, the original course, and students will pay tuition and fees for the retaken course. The grade achieved in the retaken course (whether higher, lower, or the same) is included in the computation of the grade point average, and the course is included in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations. The original course title and original grade remain on the student’s academic record. Any credit earned in the first attempt will be replaced by any credit earned in the second attempt; credit can only be earned once for courses not designated as repeatable for credit. The student’s academic record will reflect the current academic transaction and SAP compliance for each semester of enrollment. Federal and state financial aid may only be used for one retake of a course in which a passing grade (D- or above) was previously earned.

Courses Designated as Repeatable for Credit

Students may register in successive semesters for skill-building, special topics courses, and workshops classified as repeatable for credit courses on the Course Schedule. The number of times a repeatable for credit course may be taken varies, and students should always consult their Academic Advisor prior to registration for these courses. Grades received for courses designated as repeatable for credit will appear separately on the transcript. Tuition and fees are paid each time the course is taken. Courses designated as repeatable for credit may not be retaken to improve a grade.

Notification of SAP Status

At the end of each term (fall, spring, summer) each student’s cumulative GPA, completion rate, and maximum time frame will be evaluated. Students who do not meet these standards will be notified of their SAP status by the Office of the Registrar.

These notifications include the following four statuses: financial aid warning (academic warning), financial aid suspension (academic dismissal), financial aid probation (academic probation), financial aid probation continuance (academic probation continuance).

The Office of the Registrar notifies students of their SAP status and the impact on financial aid eligibility via their Loop email account at the end of each semester immediately following the grading period. Students who have met the SAP requirements are considered in good standing and do not receive a written notice.

Financial Aid Warning (Academic Warning)

Students who do not maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above or do not meet the minimum completion rate after one semester will be placed on financial aid warning. Additionally, any student who has attempted 165 credit hours or more and has not completed their degree program will be placed on financial aid warning. Students who receive this notification should meet with the College Advising Center for counseling before registering for the subsequent semester. Students are eligible to continue receiving financial aid and to register for future courses while on financial aid warning.


Financial Aid Suspension (Academic Dismissal)

Students who do not maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above or do not meet the minimum completion rate after a semester on financial aid warning will be placed on financial aid suspension. Additionally, students who were previously placed on financial aid warning due to maximum time frame and did not complete their degree program during the semester on financial aid warning will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students on financial aid suspension are prohibited from registering for future courses and are not eligible for financial aid.



Students who are on financial aid suspension may be eligible to appeal their standing and should speak with their academic advisor about the appeal requirements and process.



Financial Aid Probation (Academic Probation)

Students who complete the appeal process and are approved will be placed on financial aid probation. While on financial aid probation, students are eligible to register for courses and receive financial aid. Students on financial aid probation status must meet the terms outlined in their academic plan. Failure to regain SAP eligibility or to meet the terms of their academic plan after this subsequent grading period will result in the student being placed on financial aid suspension and being prohibited from registering for future courses and receiving financial aid.



Financial Aid Probation Continuance (Academic Probation Continuance)

Students who failed to meet the minimum SAP requirements but who adhered to their academic plan may be eligible for financial aid probation continuance. Students on financial aid probation continuance maintain eligibility for financial aid and are considered in good academic standing once they renew their academic plan with the College Advising Center. A financial aid probation continuance appeal must be submitted by the established deadline for the appropriate term and is subject to approval.



Students who do not submit an appeal or whose appeal is denied are placed on financial aid suspension and are prohibited from registering for future courses and are not eligible for financial aid.

SAP Appeals

Columbia recognizes there may be extenuating and mitigating circumstances affecting student performance. Columbia allows students to appeal their SAP status by submitting a satisfactory academic progress appeal/academic standing appeal with appropriate documentation to the College Advising Center for consideration if any of the following circumstances exist:

• Death of a relative; and/or
• Physical or mental health illness or injury; and/or
• Extraordinary and unusual change in personal circumstances that affected academic performance; and/or
• Demonstrated significant academic progress while on Academic Warning.

The student’s appeal must describe why the student didn’t maintain SAP, provide reasonable documentation of that circumstance, and explain how the student will maintain SAP in future terms.

An appeal committee made of professionals from the College Advising Center and Columbia Central reviews all SAP appeals. Because Columbia’s academic standing policy and SAP policy are the same, students submit one appeal for both standards and the decision of the committee applies to both the student’s financial aid eligibility and the student’s ability to continue pursuing a degree at Columbia. If the appeal committee denies a student’s appeal or a student declines to submit an appeal, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid and is prohibited from registering for future courses at Columbia.

Deadlines to Appeal

• Fall SAP suspension: 15 days after notification of financial aid suspension 
• Summer SAP suspension: 7 days after notification of financial aid suspension 

• Spring SAP suspension: 30 days prior to the start of fall enrollment

Students who do not submit an SAP appeal by the established deadline and/or whose appeal is denied will be ineligible to receive financial aid and prohibited from registering for future courses at Columbia.

Regaining Eligibility

Because Columbia’s academic standing policy is the same as its SAP policy, students who do not complete an appeal or whose appeal is denied must sit out from Columbia for at least two semesters. During this time, the student must attend another college or university and demonstrate academic progress at that institution for at least two semesters prior to applying for readmission at Columbia and submitting a new SAP appeal. Students interested in readmission should speak with the College Advising Center.

If a student is granted readmission to Columbia and the SAP appeal is approved, the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation and the above policy applies. 

Class Standing

Class standing for undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Fine Arts is classified by the number of credits earned:

Academic Forgiveness

Failure to Meet the Minimum Grade Requirement

Students may progress in major or minor course sequencing or level by earning a minimum grade of C. In all other courses students must earn a minimum grade of D.

Students who fail to earn a minimum grade in any course not designated as “repeatable for credit” (see below) may attempt the course one more time in an effort to earn a higher grade.

Retaking Coursework Not Designated as Repeatable for Credit

Students are permitted to attempt a course a second time to improve their earned grade, provided the course is not designated repeatable for credit. Students may retake a course to improve their grade no more than once (total of two attempts). Official Withdrawals from a course (W grade) are not included in the total of two attempts.

The retaken course must have the equivalent course number and title as the initial course, and students pay tuition and fees for the retaken course. The grade achieved in the retaken course (whether higher, lower, or the same) is included in the computation of the grade point average, and the course is included in the completion rate and maximum graduation time frame calculations. The original course title and original grade remain on the student’s academic record. Any credit earned in the first attempt is replaced by any credit earned in the second attempt; credit can only be earned once for courses not designated as repeatable for credit. The student’s academic record reflects the current academic transaction and Satisfactory Academic Progress compliance for each semester of enrollment.

Federal and state financial aid may only be used for one retake of a course in which a passing grade (D or above) was previously earned.

Courses Designated as Repeatable for Credit

Students may register in successive semesters for skill-building, special topics courses, and workshops classified as repeatable for credit courses on the Course Schedule. The number of times a repeatable for credit course may be taken varies, and students should always consult their faculty advisor prior to registration for these courses. Grades received for courses designated as repeatable for credit appear separately on the transcript. Tuition and fees are paid each time the course is taken.

Courses designated as repeatable for credit may not be retaken to improve a grade.

Academic Options and Opportunities

The Honors Program

The Honors Program community brings together creative thinkers, intellectuals, writers and communicators who seek to share ideas while studying and learning at the highest level. Honors Program students pursue deeper academic and creative challenges with some of Columbia’s most engaged faculty members through a rich array of specially designed courses on subjects ranging from Music and Media in Chicago to Postcolonial Literature to the Evolution of Sex and dozens of other topics. Honors classes include students from all of Columbia’s majors in the visual, performing, media and communication arts, creating opportunities for collaborations and relationships that transcend the classroom. Many Honors courses fulfill Columbia Core requirements, and the upper level Honors Undergraduate Research Mentorship Initiative (URMI) course provides one-on-one research opportunities with faculty across the College and can be taken for up to 3 hours of Honors Program credit.

Students can become eligible for the Honors Program in two ways:

• Students are considered for the Honors Program upon admission to Columbia. If admitted to the Honors Program, students receive an invitation with the admission letter. Students who complete the required number of Honors course credits (*provided below) and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA will receive the designation ‘Honors Program Graduate’ on their transcripts.
• All students with a cumulative Columbia GPA of 3.5 or greater are also eligible to enroll in Honors courses and may declare into the Honors Program at colum.edu/honors.

*Honors Program Credit Hour Requirement

Columbia College Chicago Honors Program is inclusive of those students who would like to pursue ‘Honors Program Graduate’ distinction and have earned transferable college-level credit prior to their first term of Columbia enrollment. College-level credit includes: Advanced Placement (AP  ), College Level Examination Program (CLEP  ), International A-Level International Baccalaureate (IB ), military credit, and transferable post-secondary coursework.

For students who have earned prior to their first term of Columbia enrollment:

• 0 - 15 transferable credits: at least 15 Honors credits must be completed.
• 16 - 30 transferable credits: at least 12 Honors credits must be completed.
• 31 - 75 transferable credits: at least 9 Honors credits must be completed.

The Honors Program is distinct from Latin Honors, which is based solely on GPA. Contact the Honors Program with any questions at honors@colum.edu or visit Honors Program.

Undergraduate Research Mentorship Initiative (URMI)

The Undergraduate Research Mentorship Initiative (URMI) connects talented students with junior standing and at least a 3.0 GPA who are interested in conducting academic research with faculty members involved in scholarly projects in their areas of expertise. Students who participate in an URMI project can earn a maximum of 3 credits. Honors URMI courses can also be taken for up to 3 credit hours toward the Honors Program requirement. Proposals for URMI projects are due from the faculty and student prior to the project semester. For more information contact your School Dean’s office, visit colum.edu/urmi, or write to the Honors Program at honors@colum.edu.

Undergrad Research Mentorship (URMI) Registration Form  

Independent Projects

Independent Projects are advanced, student-driven learning experiences involving substantial student independence in project design and project execution, with a limited amount of ongoing faculty guidance. Independent projects are appropriate for students who wish to explore a subject on their own beyond what is possible in regular courses offered by the college. Because of its student-driven nature, an Independent Project must not be equivalent in content to courses currently offered by the college. An Independent Project must be approved by a faculty advisor who also evaluates the final results and awards a grade. Unless specified in program requirements, credit for an Independent Project cannot be applied toward the student’s Columbia Core Curriculum or substituted for a major or minor requirement. One credit of Independent Project represents approximately 45 hours of student work.

Independent Project Cover Sheet  

Directed Studies

Directed Studies are faculty-guided learning activities involving ongoing and regular interaction between student and instructor and requiring more independent student work than what is expected in a traditional course. They are appropriate for students who wish to explore a subject beyond what is possible in existing courses or for students who wish to engage in a subject or activity not otherwise offered by the College. Because of their individualized nature, Directed Studies are generally not equivalent to traditional courses and should not be substituted for any existing course whether it is running or not, including canceled courses, with rare exceptions for transfer students and students completing curricula that are no longer active. Directed Studies involve close collaboration and ongoing interaction with a faculty advisor who approves development and design of the syllabus, oversees the student’s progress on a regular and clearly defined schedule, evaluates the final artifacts, and awards a grade. One credit of Directed Study represents approximately 45 hours of student work.

Directed Study Cover Sheet  

Internships

Internships are an experiential learning opportunity that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. They give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, be guided and evaluated by professionals, and make connections in industries they are considering for career paths. Sophomores and above in good academic standing may register for an internship. All undergraduate and graduate internships, with the exceptions noted below, are administered and processed by the Career Center and require a minimum of 75-hours at the internship. Information about the internship requirements and processes is available from the Career Center. Exceptions may be made for specialized internship programs, such as those structured and managed out of state. Internship courses required for professional licensure and/or that are externally regulated are not managed by the Career Center.

Study Abroad

Columbia College Chicago strongly encourages students to spend a term abroad. Whether it is a summer, January session, or full-year program, there are numerous options for students to earn credit while seeing the world. Through the Global Education Office, the college offers students the opportunity to challenge their cultural assumptions and develop as artists and world citizens.

Through Columbia’s cornerstone college-wide international exchange programs, students can spend a full semester or year abroad studying at one of the college’s partner institutions. With Columbia’s departmental programs, students may have the opportunity to participate in a Columbia faculty-led class specific to a course of study at varied sites during January session and summer. Lastly, approved provider programs allow students who are interested in a location, course of study, or timeframe that is not offered by Columbia programming to select an option from outside the college, receive credit and federal financial aid.

The Global Education Office serves as the central point for all the various options to earn credit abroad. Please visit the website at: www.colum.edu/InternationalPrograms for more information.

Columbia College Chicago students wishing to study abroad must apply through the Global Education Office website. Approved programs include all Columbia College Chicago exchange programs, Columbia faculty-led programs, and programs through Columbia’s approved providers (AIFS, CEA, and CIS Abroad). Combined, these programs cover a wide range of subjects and destinations.

Students may study abroad independently and not through a Columbia College Chicago exchange, faculty-led or approved provider program. For independent study abroad, students do not apply through nor work with the Global Education Office. Students who study abroad independently will be responsible for obtaining their transcripts and submitting them to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for review. Credit earned through independent study abroad is not guaranteed to transfer and financial aid cannot be applied; therefore, study abroad through providers that are not pre-approved by the college is discouraged.

Important details on study abroad program type:

Columbia College Chicago Exchange Programs

• Students pay Columbia College Chicago tuition
• Students may use Columbia College Chicago scholarships and federal financial aid
• Final transcripts will be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation service to convert study abroad grades into the U.S. system credit hours and grades. Final converted grades will be included in the student’s grade point average calculation and are considered in the student’s completion rate

Columbia College Chicago Faculty-Led Programs

• Students pay Columbia College Chicago tuition
• Students may use Columbia College Chicago scholarships and federal financial aid
• Students register through Columbia College Chicago
• Final grades will be included in the student’s grade point average calculation and are considered in the student’s completion rate

Approved Provider Programs

• Students apply to the approved study abroad provider and Columbia College Chicago
• Students pay all tuition and program fees to the approved study abroad provider
• Students may use federal financial aid on approved provider programs
• Students may not use Columbia College Chicago scholarships on approved provider programs
• Final grades will be included in the student’s grade point average calculation and are considered in the student’s completion rate

Graduation Audit and Posting of Degrees

Students must complete an online application for graduation in the MyColumbia portal one academic year before the expected graduation date. For example, if a student intends to complete degree requirements at the close of the Spring 2025 semester, the student should submit a graduation application in the Spring 2024 semester. After grades are certified for the final semester of enrollment, a final degree audit is completed by the Office of the Registrar and the degree is posted if all requirements are met by the student. Once the degree is posted, the transcript of a student’s academic record at Columbia College Chicago will not be changed. Attendance at the commencement ceremony does not constitute degree completion or graduation. The college will not issue a student’s diploma and official transcript cannot be issued until the student settles all financial obligations to the college. Columbia College Chicago will post the degree once all degree requirements are met, regardless of whether a graduation application was submitted for that particular semester. Students who wish to remain enrolled in classes after degree requirements are met must complete a new application for admission, either for a new degree program or as a non-degree seeking student.

Academic Distinction

Dean’s List

Students are eligible for the Dean’s List if they are full-time degree-seeking students (12 or more credits per semester) and have an earned grade point average of 3.75 or higher for the term. The Dean’s List for each school of the college is posted at colum.edu/registrar, and the Dean’s List designation is reflected on the student’s transcript.

Graduation Cum Laude

Students whose final cumulative grade point average is between 3.75 and 3.79 graduate cum laude (with praise).

Students whose grade point average is between 3.8 and 3.89 graduate magna cum laude (with high praise).

Students whose grade point average is 3.9 or higher graduate summa cum laude (with highest praise).

Academic Grievances

A student has the right to appeal academic decisions that affect his or her record at Columbia related to grade changes, attendance penalties, and incomplete grades.

Academic Petitions

Columbia College Chicago has established clear and reasonable academic requirements, and students must meet these requirements to remain in good academic standing. Under extraordinary and exceptional circumstances, the student may present a written petition to the dean of the appropriate school requesting an exception to a departmental academic requirement. Exceptions are made only on rare occasions and are based on the specific circumstances of the case at hand. A designated representative of the dean reviews the petition and determines whether an exception to an academic requirement is appropriate. That decision is final. For more information on academic petitions, see an academic advisor in the College Advising Center.

Grade Changes

Only an instructor can change a grade. The request for a grade change must be submitted by the end of the semester following the term for which the original grade was awarded. Both the department chair and the dean of the appropriate school must approve the change. If a grade change is approved, the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress will be re-evaluated.

Procedures for Grade Grievance

The faculty member and chair of the department in which the disputed grade was awarded resolve grade grievances. Every attempt should be made to resolve the grade grievance through consultations between the student and the instructor or among the student, instructor, and the department chair (or subject-area coordinator when that person is charged with resolving grade grievances). In the event that these consultations fail to resolve the grievance, an appeal procedure is available to students. Appeal procedures require written documentation. All documents must be dated.

The grading and evaluation policies outlined in the course syllabus form the basis for resolution of all grade grievances.

• A grade grievance occurs when a student protests a grade awarded on the final grade roster. The grievance must be filed within three weeks of the student’s receipt of the grade.
• Every grade grievance must be submitted in writing by the student to the instructor who awarded the grade. The student must copy the department chair when the original grievance is submitted to the instructor.
• The instructor will respond in writing to the student and send a copy to the department chair.
• If the response from the instructor is not satisfactory to the student, a written petition of appeal to the department chair (or, in some departments, to the subject-area coordinator, designated by the chair) must be submitted.
• The chair or coordinator will respond to the student’s petition of appeal.
• If the decision of the chair or coordinator is unsatisfactory to the student, they may appeal to the dean of the appropriate school, whose decision over every substantive, procedural, or related issue shall be final and cannot be appealed.

Return to: Academic Policies